46 Bible Passages Your Kids Should Memorize Before Leaving the Nest

Hi, Moms! I am so excited to share this with you. Yes, these are my sweet boys. They have something to share with you, too.

Scripture memory is one of the greatest life-long gifts we can give our children. I want to encourage you moms – start today! You and your family will be so enriched by committing God’s Word to memory. I want to bless you mamas by taking out the work of combing through scripture and making the painstaking choices of which verses to choose. My husband helped me narrow down our list based on three things: A thorough knowledge of the gospel, Christian character, and defending the faith. We take a gospel-centered approach to parenting, so we chose many passages that specifically point our kids back to the plan of redemption. We chose to use notecards and we weave them into our homeschool days. I would LOVE to hear other creative strategies you mamas use to help your kids memorize scripture. Please comment below with any tips or questions you have. * These are from the New American Standard Bible** This list works well even if your kids are already in an AWANA program. There is a lot of crossover, but also more passages that help fill in some gaps that AWANA doesn’t cover. *** “Passage” refers to consecutive verses. There are actually 72 individual verses in this list.

Please print them, share them, pin them…from my heart to yours!

Creation

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-1B" data-link="(B)”>God <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-1C" data-link="(C)”>created the heavens and the earth.

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26046B" data-link="(B)”>the Word, and the Word was <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26046C" data-link="(C)”>with God, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26046D" data-link="(D)”>the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Psalm 100:3

Know that <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15512A" data-link="(A)”>the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15512B" data-link="(B)”>made us, and not we ourselves; we are <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15512C" data-link="(C)”>His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord God! Behold, You have <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-19749B" data-link="(B)”>made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-19749C" data-link="(C)”>Nothing is too difficult for You.

Colossians 1:16

For by Him all things were created, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29482B" data-link="(B)”>both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29482C" data-link="(C)”>thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29482D" data-link="(D)”>all things have been created through Him and for Him.

God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;so that <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29871B" data-link="(B)”>the man of God may be adequate, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29871C" data-link="(C)”>equipped for every good work.

Psalm 19:7- 8

The law of the Lord is perfect, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14176C" data-link="(C)”>restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14176D" data-link="(D)”>sure, making <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14176E" data-link="(E)”>wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14177F" data-link="(F)”>right, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14177G" data-link="(G)”>rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14177H" data-link="(H)”>pure, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14177I" data-link="(I)”>enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16004A" data-link="(A)”>lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15908A" data-link="(A)”>keeping it according to Your word.

Hebrews 4:12

For <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027A" data-link="(A)”>the word of God is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027B" data-link="(B)”>living and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027C" data-link="(C)”>active and sharper than any two-edged <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027D" data-link="(D)”>sword, and piercing as far as the division of <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027E" data-link="(E)”>soul and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027F" data-link="(F)”>spirit, of both joints and marrow, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30027G" data-link="(G)”>able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Gospel

Ephesians 2:8-9

For <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29238A" data-link="(A)”>by grace you have been saved <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29238B" data-link="(B)”>through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29238C" data-link="(C)”>the gift of God;not as a result of works, so that <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29239E" data-link="(E)”>no one may boast.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26675A" data-link="(A)”>the way, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26675B" data-link="(B)”>the truth, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26675C" data-link="(C)”>the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 3:16

For God so <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137A" data-link="(A)”>loved the world, that He <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137B" data-link="(B)”>gave His only begotten Son, that whoever <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26137D" data-link="(D)”>believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Titus 3:5

He saved us, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29929B" data-link="(B)”>not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29929C" data-link="(C)”>according to His mercy, by the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29929D" data-link="(D)”>washing of regeneration and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29929E" data-link="(E)”>renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30174C" data-link="(C)”>things not seen.

Romans Road

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Roman 6:23

For the wages of <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28092A" data-link="(A)”>sin is death, but the free gift of God is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28092B" data-link="(B)”>eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8

But God <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28056A" data-link="(A)”>demonstrates <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28056B" data-link="(B)”>His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28056C" data-link="(C)”>Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9

That <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28198A" data-link="(A)”>if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28198B" data-link="(B)”>believe in your heart that <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28198C" data-link="(C)”>God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Confession and Forgiveness

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30550B" data-link="(B)”>to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-15562A" data-link="(A)”>removed our transgressions from us.

I <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14361A" data-link="(A)”>acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14361B" data-link="(B)”>did not hide; I said, “<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14361C" data-link="(C)”>I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14361D" data-link="(D)”>forgave the guilt of my sin.

Prayer

Matthew 6:9-10

Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11-13

‘<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23294A" data-link="(A)”>Give us this day our daily bread. And <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23295B" data-link="(B)”>forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23296C" data-link="(C)”>deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

James 1:5

But if any of you <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30272A" data-link="(A)”>lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-30272B" data-link="(B)”>it will be given to him.

Romans 8:26

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28143A" data-link="(A)”>we do not know how to pray as we should, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28143B" data-link="(B)”>the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 12:9-10

Let <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28255A" data-link="(A)”>love be without hypocrisy. <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28255B" data-link="(B)”>Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.Be <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28256C" data-link="(C)”>devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28256D" data-link="(D)”>in honor.

Matthew 7:12

In everything, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23329A" data-link="(A)”>therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23329B" data-link="(B)”>this is the Law and the Prophets.

Finally, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29348A" data-link="(A)”>be strong in the Lord and in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29348B" data-link="(B)”>the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29349D" data-link="(D)”>schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12

For our <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350E" data-link="(E)”>struggle is not against flesh and blood, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350G" data-link="(G)”>against the rulers, against the powers, against the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350H" data-link="(H)”>world forces of this <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350I" data-link="(I)”>darkness, against the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350J" data-link="(J)”>spiritual forces of wickedness in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29350K" data-link="(K)”>the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, take up <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29351L" data-link="(L)”>the full armor of God, so that you will be able to <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29351M" data-link="(M)”>resist in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29351N" data-link="(N)”>the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:14

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Ephesians 6:15

and having <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29353Q" data-link="(Q)”>shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:16

in addition to all, taking up the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29354R" data-link="(R)”>shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29354S" data-link="(S)”>flaming arrows of <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29354T" data-link="(T)”>the evil one.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29355V" data-link="(V)”>sword of the Spirit, which is <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29355W" data-link="(W)”>the word of God.

Ephesians 6:18

With all <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29356X" data-link="(X)”>prayer and petition pray at all times <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29356Z" data-link="(Z)”>in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29356AB" data-link="(AB)”>perseverance and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29356AC" data-link="(AC)”>petition for all the saints.

God’s Sovereignty

Ephesians 1:4-5

Just as <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29211A" data-link="(A)”>He chose us in Him before <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29211B" data-link="(B)”>the foundation of the world, that we would be <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29211C" data-link="(C)”>holy and blameless before Him. <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29211D" data-link="(D)”>In loveHe <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29212E" data-link="(E)”>predestined us to <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29212F" data-link="(F)”>adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29212G" data-link="(G)”>according to the kind intention of His will.

Romans 9:15-16

For He says to Moses, “<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28171A" data-link="(A)”>I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28172B" data-link="(B)”>runs, but on <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-28172C" data-link="(C)”>God who has mercy.

John 10:28-29

And I give <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26510A" data-link="(A)”>eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26510B" data-link="(B)”>no one will snatch them out of My hand.My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Psalm 139:16

Your <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16256A" data-link="(A)”>eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16256B" data-link="(B)”>Your book were all written the <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16256C" data-link="(C)”>days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16461B" data-link="(B)”>do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16462C" data-link="(C)”>acknowledge Him, and He will <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16462D" data-link="(D)”>make your paths straight.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29449B" data-link="(B)”>prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29450C" data-link="(C)”>the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29450D" data-link="(D)”>guard your hearts and your <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29450E" data-link="(E)”>minds in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29450F" data-link="(F)”>Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-18135B" data-link="(B)”>Rock.

Psalm 32:7

You are <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14363A" data-link="(A)”>my hiding place; You <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-14363B" data-link="(B)”>preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.

New Life in Christ

Ephesians 5:8

For <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29313A" data-link="(A)”>you were formerly <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29313B" data-link="(B)”>darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29313C" data-link="(C)”>children of Light.

Colossians 3:1-3

Therefore if you have been <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29519A" data-link="(A)”>raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29519B" data-link="(B)”>seated at the right hand of God.Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.For you have <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29521D" data-link="(D)”>died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I have been <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29102A" data-link="(A)”>crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29102B" data-link="(B)”>Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29102C" data-link="(C)”>the Son of God, who <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29102D" data-link="(D)”>loved me and <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-29102E" data-link="(E)”>gave Himself up for me.

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Thank you very much for this awesome compilation of memory verses! If memorizing them doesn't come easily, I recommend the app Bible Memory: Remember Me. It features fun quizzes and flashcards, you can record yourself recalling a verse, listen to audio, and track your success systematically using the app's intelligent review system. It's so easy to use, it's even part of Google Play for Families.